Cheers of encouragement needed at sports festival for disabled
 

by Richard Dwight

It's indeed heartening to observe that quite a few donors, well wishers and friends, on perhaps being inwardly stirred are lending more than a helping hand, for the Sports Festival for the Disabled, which takes place on Saturday 26th November commencing at 9.00 a.m. at the Colombo Municipal Council Sports grounds, Reid Avenue, Colombo.

This unfortunate segment of our community, though disabled physically but undeterred in spirit, are fast being rehabilitated to lead normal lives through the support and assistance of the Colombo-Friend-In-Need Society (CFINS). One of the events in the rehabilitation programme of CFINS is the AIDEX (Aid to the Ex-Able) annual sports Festival, organised for Jaipur Limb Users islandwide be they men, women, boys or girls.

Addressing the media at a briefing held in connection with this laudable forthcoming event on Monday at the CFINS, the chairman of the Organizing Commitee, Prof. A.H. Sheriffdeen, a leading surgeon said that "no longer are we the able, referring to this unfortunate segment of our people as disabled, but as being differently able".

This undoubtedly is a positive approach and according to Prof. Sheriffdeen, Aidex through this exercise and yet others, are striving to help the differently able to help themselves. It was gathered from him that this event was more than a sports festival of the differently able, because it is both a day of recreation and holiday.

Perhaps the only one they have had for the whole year. Sheriffdeen observed, that we who are privileged enough to enjoy mobility, should therefore get-together on occasions such as this to support the less fortunate members of our society.

Disheartening it is to find, that on the day of the festival, it is mainly confined to those competing, the members of the committee and a few volunteers. And so an appeal to the public is made, to find time to attend this Sports Festival. Needless to say their presence will be a source of encouragement both to the participants and the organizers.

There will be a little over 300 competitors comprising men, women and children taking part in the different categories, as determined by the level of their handicap, in 52 events, which will include track and field events, contests in archery, cycling and wheel chair races.

Apart from the members of the committee, there will be volunteers, who will help in the proceedings including Girl Guides of Musaeus College, students of the Colombo Medical Faculty, staff from Schering Plough Division, Air Force Buglers and many more.

Those competing will be provided with travelling allowance, breakfast, lunch, tea and other refreshments. In addition they will receive T-shirts, caps, gift packs, trophies and replicas. A handsome trophy donated by United Motors Lanka Ltd., will be presented to the most outstanding sports person.

The entire exercise to cushion off the blow of the disabled and bring a measure of happiness and joy to them - does cost a considerable sum of money and, in this regard the CFINS stands grateful to many who have come forward to assist especially to the principal donors viz.

Ceylon Tea Services Ltd. (Dilmah) Global Fitness Centre Pvt. Ltd., Bank of Ceylon Ltd., Hameedias Group, United Motor Lanka Ltd., Ceylon Theatres Group of Companies, M.H. Omar Foundation, Tissa de Silva Trust and Ceylon Cold Stores Ltd., The chief guest on the occasion will be the Managing Director Hameedias Group, Fouzul Hameed.